Ring or loop.



R. J. NICHOLSON.

RING 0R LOOP.

APPLIOATION FILED UNE 6, 1908.

924,492. Patented June 8,1909.

WZf/ZJJ JZJ'. I 172%6/2207 I 05872 M02901? ru: NORRIS EETER: cm. wAsmuumm-mn v a sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

ROBERT J. NICHOLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS RING OR LOOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1909.

Application filed June 6, 1908. Serial No. 437,088.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. NIcHoLsoN, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi nois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Rings or Loops, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My inventionmelates to rings or loops that may be opened and closed, the loop of my invention being adapted to a wide variety of uses, as will be apparent.

In one embodiment of my invention, the loop is circular, but the sha e of the loop depends upon the use to whic it is to be put, and I, therefore, do not desire to limit myself to the shape of the loop.

In practicing my invention, I divide the loop or ring into two sections hinged or pivoted together, and provide locking elements upon each of these sections contiguous to the ivotal or hinge connection thereof, these ocking elements being within the same circles of rotation, so that when the ring sections are moved in one direction relatively, the locking elements may be disengaged to permit of the separation of the ring sections, and when they are moved in the other direction of rotation, said locking elements may be engaged to hold the ring sections in closed relation.

I will explain my invention more fullyby reference to the accompanying drawing,

showing two embodiments thereof, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a ring or loop With its sections in. closed relation. Fig.1s

1g. 3 shows the arts that enter into the construction of ig. 2 as they will appear before these parts are assembled. Fig. 4 shows, in elevation, the parts illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an elevation of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows the parts illustrated in Fig. 6 in an un-united relation. Fig. 8 shows, in elevation, the parts as illustrated in Fig. 7.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the difierent figures.

In each of the figures I have shown a ring or loop having two parts a b that are hinged or pivotally united at c, the free ends (those ends opposite the hinge) of the sections a and l) of the ring being shown as beveled to make a lap-joint when said ring sections are in closed relation, though, obviously, I do not wish to be limited to such a formation. In the embodiments of the invention shown, the hinge connection at c is eflected by means of a pivotal extension at integrally formed with the ring section a, the pivotal extension, in process of assembling, being passed through an aperture e in the ring section I), whereafter the free end of the pivot d is upset, as indicated, whereby the location of the ring section 6 upon its pivot d is rendered permanent. While this is the way of uniting the ring sections a and 1) shown in the embodiments of theinvention illustrated, I do not wish to be limited to this method of uniting said sections.

The pivoted end of the ring section b is extended beyond the ivot d to afford or permit the location or ormation of an element of a locking device, a complemental element of the locking device being carried by the ring section a. The element of the locking device carried by the ring section b is preferably a lateral extension f integrally formed with, and therefore rigid with respect to the ring section b and extending substantially parallel with the pivotal axis at c. In the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4., inclusive, the locking element rovided upon the ring section a is aiforde by means of an opening or recess 9 adapted to receive the extension f when the rlng sections are in closed relation, and Ipermitting of movement apart between t e ring sections when sufficient effort is exerted to overcome the bindin action efiected by the upper portion of the order of the opening g and the head of the pivot pin d. The locking element upon the ring section a is, therefore, the portion of the border of the opening 9 that lies above the locking element f. The distance between the nether face of the head of pin (1 and the contiguous flat surface of the ring section a, is such, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, that the ring section b is slightly out of the normal plane of the ring when the looking element f is not contained within the recess g, the locking element f, therefore, swinging into place as soon as it is in register with the recess g. As the ring is preferably circular in'cross-section throughout its major portion, I flatten the hinged ends thereof so that the hinge and locking mechanism above described may be provided.

Where the ring is to be employed as an element of a binder for holding loose sheets, apertures k may be provided in the ring sections, in order that they may be sewed or otherwise attached to a suitable cover, as is well understood by those acquainted with the art.

T 1e construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, with the exception that the locking element provided upon the ring section a is of the nature shown most clearly in Fig. 8, where the opening i has an inlet 1c lying in the arc of travel of the lock ing element f, a hump or inwardly extending projection Z being grovided upon a border portion of the inlet over which the locking element f must rlde before the ring sections are in closed relation, whereafter the locking element Zholds the ring sections in closed relation, though permitting the separation of the ring sections when suilicient effort is exerted. The locking element Z upon the ring section a causes a reaction upon the pivot in (Z when said locking element is engaged by the locking element 7, there being a spring-like action when the element f escapes the element Z and is received within the opening i.

In the claims I speak of a locking element being provided upon the section of the ring, which locking element is in the form of a projection extending laterally to the section that supports it and rigid with respect thereto, this portion of the claims being readable upon the structure illustrated.

It will be seen that I have provided a ring or loop having two hinged sections, the location of the hinge connection between said sections being substantially within the line of the ring or loop, said sections being flattened where hinged, and a locking device for holding said sections in closed relation, the flattened portion of each of said sections having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the point of hinge connection between said sections, the locking element upon one section being formed by a recess therein, while the locking element upon the companion section is formed by a projection extending laterally of the latter section and adapted to be brought into register with said recess, one of the locking elements cooperating with the pivotal connection and the section having the companion locking element to resist closing action of the ring or loop sections, whereby when the locking elements are brought to register, the separation thereof is prevented, except upon the exercise of considerable force.

In the embodiments of the invention shown, there are but two parts to the structure, as the various elements carried by each ring section are integrally formed therewith, but I do not wish to be limited to this char acteristic, nor to the precise construction oi the locking elements vcntion.

Having thus described my invention. l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the followingz- 1. A ring or loop having two hinged sections, and a locking device for holding said sections in closed relation, each of said sec tions having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the point. of hinge connection between said sections the locking element upon one section being formed by a recess therein, while the locl ing element upon the companion section is formed by a projection. extending laterally to the latter section and rigid with respect thereto and adapted, to be brought into register with said recess, one ot'the locking elements cooperating with the pivotal connection and the section having the companion locking element to resist closing action of the ring or loop sections, whereby when the locking elements are brought to register, the separation thereof is prevented, except upon the exercise of considerable force.

2. A ring or loop having two hinged sections, said sections being flattened where hinged, and a locking device for holding said sections in closed relation, the llattened portion of each of said sections having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the point of hinge connection between said sections, the locking element upon one section being formed by a recess therein, while the locking element upon the companion section. is formed by a projection extending laterally of the latter section and rigid with respect thereto and adapted to be brought into register with said recess, one of the locking elements cooperating with the pivotal connection and the section having the companion locking element to resist closing action of the ring or loop sections, whereby when the locking elements are brought to register, the separation thereof is prevented, exercise of considerable force.

3. A ring or loop having two hinged sections, the location of the hinge connection between said sections being substantially within the line of the ring or loop, and a locking device for holding said sections in closed relation, each of said sections having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the point of hinge connection between said sections, the locking element upon one section being formed by a recess therein, while the locking element upon the companion section is formed by a projection extending laterally to the latter section and rigid with respect thereto and that enter into the inexcept upon the l. l O

fix

l' ll adapted to be brought into register with said recess, one of the locking elements co- 0 crating with the pivotal connection and t e section having the companion locking element to resist closing action of the ring or loop sections, whereby when the locking elements are brought to register, the separation thereof is prevented, except upon the exercise of considerable force.

4. A ring or loop having two hinged sections, the location of the hinge connection between said sections being substantially within the line of the ring or loop, said sections being flattened where hinged, and a locking device .for holding said sections in closed relation, the flattened portion of each of said sections having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the point of hinge connection between said sections, the locking element upon one section being formed by a recess therein, while the locking element upon the companion section is formed by a projection extending laterally of the latter section and rigid with respect thereto and adapted to be brought into register with said recess, one of the locking elements cooperating withthe pivotal connection and the section having the companion locking element to resist closing action of the ring or loop sections, whereby when the locking elements are brought to register, the separation thereof is prevented, except upon the exercise of considerable force.

5. A ring or loop having two hinged sections, the location of the hinge connection between said sections being substantially within the line of the ring or loop, and'a locking device for holding said sections in closed relation, each of said sections having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the point of hin e connection between said sections, the ocking element upon one section being formed by a recess therein, while the locking element upon the companion section is formed by a projection extendin laterally to the latter section and rigid with respect thereto and adapted to be brought into register with said recess.

6. A ring or loop having two hinged sections, the location of the hinge connection between said sections being substantially within the line of the ring or loop, said sections being flattened where hinged, and a locking device for holding said sections in closed relation, the flattened portion of each of said sections having a member of said locking device which is located adjacent to the oint of hinge connection between said sections, the locking element 11 on one sec tion being formed by a recess t erein, while the locking element upon the companion section is formed by a projection extending laterally of the latter section and ri id with respect thereto and adapted to be rought into register with said recess.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3d day of June A. D., 1908.

ROBERT J. NICHOLSON.

Witnesses Z. G. STROH, A. JosY. 

